Pix has become increasingly essential for small businesses in Brazil, being considered the main means of receiving payments by individual microentrepreneurs (MEI). According to the third edition of the Pulso dos Pequenos Negócios survey, carried out by Sebrae and IBGE, 52% of MEIs consider Pix as the main means of receiving payments.
Despite the maintenance fees considered high by MEIs, the credit card ranks second in preference, being the method most used by 20% of micro-entrepreneurs. Cash appears in third place with 12% usage.
Among micro and small companies, which have annual revenues between R$82,000 and R$4.8 million, Pix shares preference with credit cards. Both modalities are the main means of receiving funds in 27% of the businesses. In second place are the boletos, with 18%.
Compared to the first edition of the survey, the percentage of micro-entrepreneurs who consider Pix as the main method of receiving funds increased by one point. Sebrae highlights that low costs in relation to card machines and instantaneous transfers consolidate Pix as an essential tool for MEIs.
In addition, other factors that are increasing preference for Pix in small businesses are the lack of concern for change, ease of financial control and practicality in making cash flow management decisions, such as paying suppliers. In some cases, entrepreneurs are even offering discounts to customers using Pix.
In micro and small companies, the credit card is still widely used due to the possibility of making purchases in installments or paying monthly bills. Despite the fees for the machines, micro and small entrepreneurs continue to offer this modality.
The survey also revealed the top concerns of small business owners. Increased costs were mentioned by 38% of respondents as leading concerns, but there was a reduction of four percentage points compared to the first edition of the survey.
In second place is the lack of customers, which increased from 24% in August to 31% in the current survey. According to Sebrae, this increase is related to high interest rates and household indebtedness, as high interest rates reduce consumption and increase businessmen’s concern about having customers to sell, overcoming concerns about higher costs.
transfer of costs
The fear of losing customers has prevented entrepreneurs from passing on cost increases to consumers. Although 78% reported increased spending on inputs, fuel, rent and energy in the last 30 days, only 8% fully passed on higher costs, while 49% did not pass on and 41% partially passed on.
Small business revenues were affected by a combination of a drop in the number of customers and rising costs. According to the survey, 42% reported a drop in revenue compared to the same period last year and only 25% earned more. On average, sales dropped by 10%. Among the 22 segments analyzed, only two are earning more this year: food industry and business services.
